Clean Fuels Outlet Program

Background

The Clean Fuels Outlet Program (CFO) was first implemented in 1990 by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) as a means to assure that infrastructure was available to supply non-petroleum fuels.  Originally, the program focused on providing methanol, ethanol and compressed natural gas stations based on the number of vehicles capable of running on those fuels.  

Currently, this standard requires that once there are 20,000 of one type of alternative clean fuel vehicles in California, owners or lessors of gasoline stations would be required to equip and sell these alternative fuels at their stations.  Under the current standard, electricity is not covered by the program.

 Proposed Program Modifications to CFO

In 2009, ARB directed staff to reexamine the CFO program to determine if other alternative fuels should be included.  ARB staff is presently evaluating whether CFO is the best option for spurring hydrogen infrastructure and has submitted potential modifications to CFO. They will submit their final proposal this October.

In addition, ARB staff proposing a charging needs assessment study, to determine how to best meet the needs of California’s new fleet of electric vehicles.  Sierra Club California strongly supports the addition of public charging infrastructure to the CFO because of the need to put EV infrastructure in place to facilitate more rapid deployment of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids on our roads.

For more information about CARB’s proposals, view their staff presentation to this July’s workshop here.